Woullard last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Woullard is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Woullard.

Meaning of Woullard

An occupational surname referring to a wool carder or wool worker.

Woullard, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Woullard surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Woullard in America

Woullard is the 53316th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Woullard surname appeared 388 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Woullard.

We can also compare 2010 data for Woullard to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

2010 2000 Change (%)
Rank 53316 60706 -12.96%
Count 388 310 22.35%
Proportion per 100k 0.13 0.11 16.67%

The history of the last name Woullard

The surname Woullard is believed to have its origins in England, dating back to the medieval period. It is thought that the name originated from the Old English elements, with “Wulf” meaning wolf and “heard” meaning brave or hardy, suggesting that the name could initially have been a descriptive nickname or occupational name for someone known for their bravery and strength, akin to a wolf.

The regions where the name was originally found include various counties in England, particularly in the southeastern regions. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames varied greatly due to the lack of standardized spelling, leading to several variations including Woollard, Wullard, and Wollard.

Historical references to the surname can be found in various old records and manuscripts. One of the earliest mentions is in the Domesday Book of 1086, where a similar name is recorded, indicating its presence in the Anglo-Norman period. Another early instance is found in the Subsidy Rolls of Essex dating back to 1327 with a Thomas Wulard appearing in the records.

The earliest recorded examples of the surname include Robert Woullard, who appears in the poll tax records of Cambridgeshire in 1379, and Henry Woullard, listed in Lincolnshire archives around the late 14th century. These records provide insights into the distribution and demographics of the name in medieval England.

Famous individuals with the surname include William Woullard, a landowner who lived in the early 16th century and was noted for his contributions to his local parish in Kent. Another notable figure is Anne Woullard, a midwife from the 17th century who has several records in medical journals for her pioneering techniques in early obstetrics.

In the 18th century, John Woullard gained prominence as a barrister in London, involved in several high-profile legal cases. His work is documented in various legal archives of the time. Elizabeth Woullard, born in 1805, emerged as a prominent social reformer and was known for her efforts in women’s education and rights, leaving a significant legacy through her correspondence and published work.

The journey of the surname Woullard, from its Anglo-Saxon roots to its presence in historical records, showcases its evolution and the impact of the individuals who bore it across centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Woullard

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Woullard.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Woullard was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 12.11% 47
Non-Hispanic Black Only 79.90% 310
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% (S)
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races 4.64% 18
Hispanic Origin 2.84% 11

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Woullard has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

2010 2000 Change (%)
White 12.11% 11.61% 4.22%
Black 79.90% 84.84% -6.00%
Asian and Pacific Islander (S)% 0.00% (S)%
American Indian and Alaskan Native (S)% 0.00% (S)%
Two or More Races 4.64% 1.94% 82.07%
Hispanic 2.84% 1.61% 55.28%

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Woullard was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Woullard, please contact us.

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"Woullard last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on December 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/woullard-surname-popularity/.

"Woullard last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/woullard-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 December, 2024

Woullard last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/woullard-surname-popularity/.

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